One Hundred® Costa Rica 200

May,

2025

5

(2)

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Distance
Elevation
335 km 16505 m

Recent reviews

One Hundred® Costa Rica 200

5

Costa 200 was extreme, but an incredible course to complete. I’m a local — Costa Rican — and many people think the climate gives me an advantage, but believe it or not, the humidity in this country is something I really struggle with. I do think I had an edge when it came to the type of terrain, and that’s where I was able to perform really well.
Crossing Costa Rica from the Caribbean to the Pacific is a dream for many, and the beauty along the way is truly unforgettable. I’ve become known for completing some of the toughest ultramarathons on the planet, and Costa 200 has definitely made it onto my list of favorites.
I had the chance to win the overall race, and that’s something I’ll carry with me forever — in my mind and in my heart. I invite anyone who wants to try these kinds of events — where not only your physical strength but also your mental resilience is tested — to take on this challenge.
I 100% recommend adding this event to your athletic résumé!
See you in 2026!

Costa 200 fue algo extremo, pero un recorrido increíble de completar. Soy local, costarricense, y muchos creen me favorece el clima pero aunque no lo crean la humedad de este país me cuesta gestionarla. Creo si tuve ventajas en el
Tipo de terreno y ahí pude desenvolverme muy bien. Recorrer Costa Rica del caribe al pacífico es el sueño de muchos y tanta belleza es imposible de olvidar. Me he caracterizado por completar las ultra maratones más difíciles del planeta y Costa 200 entra en la lista de mis favoritas. Tuve la oportunidad de ganar la general y es algo que llevaré siempre en la mente y el corazón. Invito a los que desean porbar este tipo de eventos en los que se pone a prueba o solo la fuerza física sino la capacidad mental para avanzar a pesar de las condiciones!
100% recomiendo tener este evento en el
Curriculum deportivo! Nos vemos en el 2026!

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One Hundred® Costa Rica 200

5

Organiser’s Review: One Hundred® Costa Rica 200, Edition Zero

There’s something humbling about watching runners set off knowing they’ll cross an entire country under their own power. From the first sunrise over Parismina to the final steps into Quepos, the Costa Rica 200 was as much a test of spirit as it was of endurance.
This pioneer edition gave us everything Costa Rica has to offer, and then some. Ten microclimates in one race meant our athletes moved from the heavy, salt-laden Caribbean air into dense, humming rainforest, climbed into cool, mist-covered mountains, braved scorching open plains, and finally descended to the crashing waves of the Pacific. The weather kept us honest, the terrain kept them focused, and the sheer scale of the journey kept everyone inspired.
What stood out most wasn’t just the physical achievement, but the spirit in which it was done. Athletes supported each other through the heat of the day and the deep quiet of the night. Volunteers hiked for hours to reach remote aid stations. Local villagers stepped out to clap, cheer, and share fruit with strangers passing through their land.
From an organiser’s perspective, seeing the course come to life after months of planning was deeply rewarding. The logistics of connecting coast to coast in such diverse terrain are no small feat, but the smiles, finish-line tears, and stories being told at the end made it worth every step. We learned plenty too, about refining checkpoints, optimising sleep stations, and preparing for Costa Rica’s mercurial weather.
The Costa Rica 200 is more than a race; it’s a moving, breathing adventure that demands respect and rewards courage. If the pioneer edition was this powerful, I can only imagine what awaits us next year when we welcome more athletes to take on this extraordinary crossing.

Amy Hackett-Jones
Chief Operating Officer
One Hundred® Group Ltd

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Race description

One Hundred® Costa Rica 200, Edition Zero: The Pioneer Edition

A Journey Beyond Limits

From the Caribbean’s gentle waves to the Pacific’s roaring surf, the Costa Rica 200 wasn’t just a race, it was a transformative odyssey that spanned a country, crossed ten microclimates, and pushed athletes to the edge of human endurance.

The Beginning: Parismina’s Embrace

The starting point was the tiny fishing village of Parismina, accessible only by boat. As the sun rose over the Caribbean Sea, the air was thick with salt and humidity, a gentle yet deceptive prelude to the trials ahead. Runners gathered in the soft early light, knowing their journey would carry them from one ocean to another, from the lush lowlands to the spine of the Central Highlands, and finally down to the pounding surf of the Pacific.

Traversing Diverse Terrains

Over 200 miles, the route tested every skill and ounce of resilience an ultra-runner could muster:

  • Lush Rainforests: Claustrophobic green tunnels alive with the calls of howler monkeys and the hum of insects. The heat was heavy, the air damp, sweat clung to the skin like a second layer.
  • Mountainous Ascents: Climbs to over 8,000 feet brought cool relief but thinned the air. Mist curled around the ridges, temperatures plunged to near 35°F (2°C), and every breath came slower, harder.
  • Scorching Lowlands: Open plains where the sun showed no mercy, pushing the mercury above 90°F (32°C). Shade was rare, and runners rationed their energy as much as their water.
  • Rivers & Waterfalls: Crystal-cold crossings that refreshed aching muscles but demanded careful footing; one slip here could mean the end of a race.
  • Remote Trails: Tracks barely wide enough for one person, winding past coffee farms, banana plantations, and through villages where life hasn’t changed for generations.

Inspired by the Camino de Costa Rica, the course was both a cultural journey and a physical gauntlet, showcasing the country’s staggering diversity in geography, wildlife, and climate.

The Race Within the Race

The Costa Rica 200 was as much about strategy as speed. Sleep became a calculated risk — push on through the night and risk hallucinations, or rest and surrender precious time. Aid stations, often deep in remote jungle, became lifelines where volunteers refilled bottles, offered hot meals, and delivered morale boosts as vital as any nutrition. Navigation demanded focus; the trail markings were reliable, but fatigue made every decision feel heavier.

The Human Element

Beyond the terrain and the miles, this race was a living tapestry of human connection:

  • Hallucinations: Jungle shadows morphing into animals that weren’t there, phantom voices drifting through the night, vivid reminders of the razor edge between focus and fatigue.
  • Camaraderie: Competitors became allies. A shared pace, a word of encouragement, even just a knowing glance on a steep climb could keep someone moving.
  • Local Communities: Villagers emerged from their homes to clap, cheer, and offer water or fruit to strangers running through their land. These small acts of kindness, in the most remote places, reminded runners why they were there, to connect with a world far beyond the finish line.

Reflections at the Finish

The final descent into Quepos on the Pacific coast was both triumphant and humbling. After days of extremes, oppressive heat, bone-chilling cold, endless climbs, and punishing descents, the sight of the ocean was almost surreal. Runners arrived stripped to their essence, each carrying their own private story of struggle, adaptation, and resolve.

As part of the One Hundred® Premier Series and a key event in the One Hundred® Trail Endurance World Championship series, the Costa Rica 200 is not just another ultra, it’s a world-class proving ground where elite athletes measure themselves against one of the most diverse and demanding courses on Earth.

Final Thoughts

The Costa Rica 200 is more than an ultramarathon. It is a crossing, of a country, of mental and physical boundaries, of the invisible line between who you were when you started and who you are when you finish. It doesn’t just test the body; it rewires the mind and leaves the soul forever changed.

For those who dare, the Costa Rica 200 is not a race you simply complete. It’s a race you become.

Sign up at : https://www.trail200.com/

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